Sign



l. M. BROOKS.

SIGN.

APPLxcATloN FILED JULY 23. 1917.-.

1,373, 167, PatentedrMar. 29, 1921. 2 l l .ggz U UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

JESSE M. BROOKS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SIGN'.

Application filed July 23,

Z '0 all fic/wm` it may cao/acera.' y

lle it linown that I, M. BROOKS a citizen the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of: Cool( and rit-ate et Illinois, have invented new and useful Im proveniente in Signs, ol which the following is a speciiication.

rllhis invention relates to letters or like characters for illuminated or electric signs, and more particularly to the shading of such letters or characters.

Among the objects of the invention is to elect the shading of a sign letter or character oit the lrind referred to, by using the same set oiC lamps which serve to illuminate the outer or iront face of such character, and iturther screen the light rays which produce the shaded eiliect from the lig-ht rays employed lor illuminating the front lace of the sign letter.

The invention consists `further in the matters hereinafter described and more particum larly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanyin g drawingsi Figure' 1 is a front view oil a sign letter coirfatructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view talren on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. is an enlarged transverse sectional view talren on line 15-3 ofi Fig. 1;

Figfl is a :front vieiv of another sign letter, illustrating :mother form ci my inventien 5 Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 5*-5 ot Fig-d;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. i' is a top plan view of another sign letter, illustrating still another form of my invention g y Fig. S is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 8-*8 ot Fig 7 and Fig. 9 is: an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 ol the accompanying drawings, I have shoivn a sign character 10, constructed in accordance with my invention and having the shape ci the letter It of the alphabet, although it is to be of course understood that my invention equally as ive-ll applicable to each and all. o'i the other letters of the alphabet, as Well as to the several numerals and other types et characters for display by illuminated or electric signs, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mal'. 29, 1921. 1917. serial No. 182,130.

that I have merely selected the letter R instead of one of the other letters or numerals for the purpose oi illustrating the features of my invention. Said sign letter 10, as shown in Fig. 3, is `made trough-shaped" in cross-section, and has an inner wall 11 and two oppositely disposed, outwardly projecting side Walls 12, 13. Such trough isdivided transversely into two chambers 14, 15 by a false bottom or transverse partition wall 16, the latter extending between and beine secured to said side Walls 12, 13 beyonc said inner Wall 11. In theinstance shown, the sign letter 10 is given a shaded eect to the le'lt thereof, and to accomplish this I provide a screen 17, which I.extends partially across the open trough :troni the side Wall 13 toward the opposite side wall 12. Said screen 1i' forms `the outer Wall of the trough, and is of such Width as to constitute the outer or display face of the sign letter, both for day and night use.

vSaid screen 17 terminates short of the side Wall 12, so as to provide an elongated opening or slot 18 opening out'ufard through the display or front face el' the sign letter and communicating with the chamber' 15. To illuminate the sign letter 10 lor night use, I provide a single set of in 'andescent elec `tric lamp bulbs 19, 19 arranged to conform to the shape or contour o'f the letter, and each lamp 19 inserted into the chamber 15 through a hole 2O 'termed for that purpose in the screen or outer Wall 17. See Figs. 1 and 2.) Secured to said partition wall 16 are a plurality oi .lamp sockets 21, 2l, one :tor each lamp used and below each hole 20, as shown in Figs. 2 and Sil. The distance between the partition Wall 16 and the cuter wall .or screen 1"? is such that each lamp 19 has its outer portion ci projecting or protruding outward beyond the screen 17, s0 that the trent 'face et the sign letter will be illuminated when the lamps are lighted.

rlhe remaining portion Zi olf each lamp 19` is in the chamber 15 and extends between the partition Wall 16 and the outer vvall 17, as shown. The portion 2') ofeach lamp 19 is painted or given a color contrasting to the color given to or possessed by the front or display face oi'i the sign letter. The inner Walls. of the chamber 15 are given or painted a color in harmony with the color oit the lamp portions Z), b. For instance, if each lamp portion b is painted or given a red color, the inner Walls of the chamber 15 unit. l,

are also painted red. Consequently, when the lamps 19 are lighted, the front face of the sign letter 10 will be illuminated white While the Vrays of red light in the chamloer 15 Will he reflected outward from the front faceof the sign letter through the slots or' passages 18, thereby giving the sign letter 10 a shade of red lig-ht on the left thereof. The light producing the outline of the letter is a direct light, While the light producing the shaded effect is an indirect light due to the ou'er Wall or screen 17. The fact that the inner Walls of the chamber 15 are painted red makes the sign letter 10 in daytime'fhave a shade of red color, as the latter can. be viewed from the front of the sign letter through the slots 1S. The portions b yof the lamp and the inner Walls et the chamber 15 may be painted or giveny any other color desired, such as green, blue, yellow, or the like., or the front face of the letter could he given a dark color, While the parts to eiiect the shading of the letter could be given a light color. The `matter oj coloring depends, of course, upon the conditions at hand.- When it is desired to form a letter 10 lhaving a shaded eifect on the right, the construction illustrated would be changed only in that the screen or outer Wall 17 Would be connected with the side cordingly; The chamber lfl designed to .contain the electric Wires or conductors (not shown) connecting the several lamp soclrets with the contact vplugs (not shown) on the back of `the letterand whereby the latter may be vreadily connected with the lead Wires or the like of the sign on which the letter is placed.

lt will be particularly noted that by the construction described and shown the sign letter 10 is both illuminated on its outer or iront 'face and the shaded ei'ec-t produced. hy a single set ot' lamps. ln other Words, the lamps used for illuminating the front tacco-.F the sign letter are also used for producing the shaded effect, and that by the screen 17 the shaded effect is produced by an: indirect and subdued light. By using but a single set of lamps 'for both illumina'- ltien Vand shading, the maintenance cost of the letter isgreatly reduced, when compared to a construction requiring two sets .of lamps, one for illuminating the front face ot the letter and the other 'for producing the shading. Furthermore, by using one set of lamps both for illumination and (shading,'th'e latter may be produced bye-n indirect and subdued light, thus producing a proper amount of light for effecting a proper shading. Then again, by using but a'single set of lamps, the letter is complete in itselr" and may be handled, transported, and placed in .position on the sign board as a complete In Fig. 4, l have shown a sign character 22 having the shape ot the letter l1 and enibodying the same general features oi' my in` vention as above referred to in connection With Figs. l to 3, but carrying out the objects of my invention by a. diifercnt type of construction from that heretofore described. rilhe sign character 22 is also inode troughshaped in cross-section, and has an inner Wall 23, two side Walls 2l, 25, and an intermediate transifcrse partition u'all 26, which extends between and secured to said side Walls. Extending partially across the open side of the trough is a screen or outer wall 27, the latter harina the same shape as the rletter 22. but narrower than the width oi the trough so that the man1-'fins ot said screen 27 terminate short oi the side Walls 24. 25 so as to provide elongated 'openings or slots 22 on each side thereof and opening; into the chamber 29 termed between thc screen or outer Wall 27 and the partition Wall 2G. The screen 27 constitutes the YFront or outer face et the letter 22 oud is maintained in the position shown by a suiniortiue` llanffjc 9.0 extending between andsecurcfl. to said walls 26, 27. (flee Fig. 5.) To illuminate thc sign letter 22 for night use, l provide a single set of incandescent electric lamps ill. 31`l errang-ed to coi rm to the shape of the sign letter and heinn inserted into tho chamber 29 through holes 32 forme/.l tor that purpose in the outer Wall or .screen 27. The partition Wall 2G is provided with lampr sockets for the reception of the lamps 31. As in the case ot the sinn letter 10. the distance between the partition Wall 2G and the outer wall. or screen 27 is such that the outer portions a. oi the lamps 3l project to a like extent beyond the screen. so the t when the lamgis are lighted the trout or outer iacc of the sion letter Will he illuminated, The portions 72 ot the lamps 31 are located in the chamber 29. and the licht vars thereofA are reilcctcd. by the inner Walls oi said chamber. outwardlr.Y `from the trout tace ot the letter 22 through the slots 2.2. 2S. around `the entire margins oi the screen or outer wall 27. Should the portions l) oi said lamps 31 and the inner walls oi the chamhcr 29 he painted or giron a red color. there would he produced around all ol the edges oi the screen when the lamps are lighted. a shade oil: red color. thus contrasting markedly to the illuminated light 'liront tace of the sign letter 22. ln other Words, when the lamps 31 liohted. a centrally disposed portion oi. the liront .tace oi the letter is illuminated one color. saiY White should the iront Vfisco of the letter hc painted such colorn While the marfiual portions oi" the front tace oi the letter around the edges of such central portion would appear a contrrstirgr color. sav red should the Walls of' ythe chamber 29 "and the lamp portions l) lOS lll() chamber Thus, in the type of construction described and shown in Figs. 4 to 6, a single lo set of lamps, with the aid of the screen27,

`thirst, illuminate the front face of the letter and. second, producethe shading thereof. liu Fig, i', I have shown a sign character having the shape of the letter F and. ulth h embodying the features of my inv in, yet lieingconstructed a little different y from the types of structures abovedescribed and shown in the preceding figures. rl' e sip/n letter 35 is also made troughshaped'in crosssection, and has an inner wall S6, two side walls 37, 38, and an intermediate transverse partition wall 39, which entends betweensaid side walls and divides tt- 'the trough transversely into two chambers i0, al. interposed between the side walls and arranged parallel thereto is a "itudinal partition wall or screen 4t2. 'd screen 4t2 secured to said partition wall and extends outwardly therefrom, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Said screen 42 is preferably spaced equal distances from sr d side walls o7, 38, so that the sign letter when looked at from the front will appear to have two troughs arranged side by side and extending in the same general direction. To illuminate said sign letter 35,1 provide le set of incandescent lamps 4B, 43,

4udinl half of each lamp 43 projects to e side of said screen., while the remaining itudinal hulf of each lamp projects to posits sid/s of said screen, the latter vided with openings or `holes 4A rthat ginirpose. Eachflamp 43 is ,v into a lamp socket 45, secured to 1e i atreverse partitionwall 39. That portion of .sch lamp el?) which extendsto one eide oi si\'l screen 42 is painted one color, such es re green, blue. or the like, while the remaining portion of thelamp which out to the opposite side of s `.-.l screen is pointed a contrasting color..` such as white. Willow. or the lil'e, or allowed to retain its l colon .ln the example shown, the

cran

r given a shaded effect to the left, tho portions of the lamps painted or given the same color are positioned on `that im side i the screen so to produce the shaded "ect to the left. The inner walls of the ci :gli in which such painted lamp portions are located are painted a color in harmony with such painted lamp portions. Should it ist be desired to shade the opposite side of the peri' rm at the same time two functions,

ed in the trough and so arranged, ect to said screen 42, that one lons` letter 35, the painted par s would be reversed. From the type ot construction described,.the results are obvious. l/Vhen the lamps are lighted, one-half of the shape of the letter 35 is illuminated one color, such as a bright one, say whitef7 while the remaining half of the letter would be illuminated a darker color, say red, blue, or the like, thereby producingr a shaded effect. The chamber ll() is designed to receive the conduct-or wires (not shown) for the several lamps 43. j

In each of the three different forms shown, a single set of lamps are used, and such lampsilluminate as Well as effect the shading of the sign character. Further, a screen is used for separating the light rays used' for illuminating the letter from the light rays used for effecting the shading, the light rays for the two purposes referred to being produced from the same source of light. In the first two forms shown, the illumination of the front face of the letter is produced by a direct light, while the shading is produced by an indirect one. Moreover, in each of the three forms shown, the transverse partition wall (16 inthe letter l0, 26 in theletter 22, and 39 in the letter 35) forms, in fact, the inner wall or base member of the sign character, in that the lamp sockets are all secured to said base member. VIn other words, said partition wall constitutes the inner wall or base member of the trough or chamber in which the lamps are located. ln the case of any letter or numeral or other character having rounded or curved portions, as the letter R shown in Fig. l, the walls of the trough are curved accordingly, and the ends ot the trough are closed by end walls, as shown. Other and further advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertaius.

Although I have shown und described. in detail herein several forms of my invention, yet it is to be of course understood that the details of construction aud the arrangement of lthe parts shown may be variously changed and modified without departing from'the spirit and scope of my invention, and I do not wish to be limited or conlined to the details of construction shown and arrangement of parts illustrated. except as pointed out in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention: `1. sigircharacter, comprising a screen member having substantially the saine shape as the character depicted by the said character and forming the outer face thereof, a plurality of electric lamps back of the screen and having their outer ends projecting through said screen to illuminate the outer face thereof and the portion of the sign character back of said screen member, and means arranged to provide an open slot exextending partially across tending about at least one of the edges of the screen member and* adapted to cause the rays of light back of the screen member to be reflected outward from the sign character through said slot.

2. sign character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting outwardly from said base member, a screen member spaced outwardly from said base member and arranged substantially parallel thereto; said screen member extending partially across the trough formed between said side walls, and an electric lamp-located in said trough andrhaving a portion thereof projecting outwardly through said screen member.

31A sign character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting 'outwardly from said base inember, a screen` member spaced outwardly from said base Amember and arranged substantially parallel thereto; said screen member the trough formed between said side walls,and an electric lamp located in said trough and having a portiony thereof projecting outwardly through said screen member; the portion of said lamp between saidv base and screen .members having a color diderent from theV color possessed by the portion of said lamp projecting outwardly from said screen member.

4. A signv character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting outwardly from said base member, va screen member spaced outwardly from said base memberrand arranged substantially parallel thereto; said screen memberextending partially across the trough formed between said side walls, and anelectric lamp located'insaid trough and having a portionthereof projecting outwardly lthrough said screen member v; the portion of said lam between said base and screen members having a'colordifferent from the color possessed by the portionof said lamp projecting outwardly from said screen member, land the inner` walls of said trough and the portion of theJ lamp located therein having the'same color, the latter being different from thecolor possessed by the portion of v said lamp projectingoutwardly from said screen member. n

5. A sign character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting outwardly from said base member, a screen member spaced outwardly from said base member and arranged substantially parallel thereto, said screen `member being secured to one of said side walls and terminating short of the other of said side walls, and an electric lamp mounted on said base member and projecting outwardly therefrom through said screen member.

6. A sign character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting outwardly from said base member, a screen member spaced outwardly from said base member and arranged substantially parallel thereto, said screen member being secured to one of said side walls and terminating short of the other of said side walls, and an electric lamp mounted on said base member and projecting outwardly therefrom through said screen member, the portion of said lamp between said base and screen members having a color different from the color possessed by the portion of said lamp extending outwardly from said screen member.

7. A sign character, comprising a base member, two oppositely disposed side walls projecting outwardly from said base mem ber, a screen member spaced outwardly from said base member and arranged substantially parallel thereto, said screen member being secured to one of said side walls and terminating short of the other of said side walls, and an electiie lamp mounted on said base member and projecting outwardly therefrom through said screen member; the

inner walls of the trough formed by said side walls and base member having a coloi different from the color possessed by the outer face of said screen member.

S. A sign character, comprising a screen member having substantially the same shape as said sign character and forming the front or outer face thereof, means for illuminating the front or outer face of said screen member and the portion of the sign character below said screen member, means adapted to cause the rays of light below said screen member to be reflected outward from at least one of the edges of said screen member, and means for imparting to said re` flected light rays a colordiiferent from that possessed by the rays of light reflected from the front or outer face of said screen member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 3rd day of July, A. D. 1917.

JESSE M. BROOKS. Witnesses:

EUGENE C. WANN, MARGARET C. SMrrH. 

